Fellow of the University of Wollongong
Citation delivered by Mr David Vance at the University of Wollongong on the occassion of the admission of Rodney Ernest Michael Vickers as a Fellow of the University on 6 October 2022.
Associate Professor Rodney Vickers has made a remarkable impact in his 35-year tenure with UOW, contributing vastly to the University’s research, teaching and governance.
Rodney is a world-leading expert in the infrared and far-infrared spectroscopy of solid materials, particularly semiconductors, with a research publication record spanning four decades. He joined UOW in 1985, beginning a stellar career that culminated in his appointment as Head of the School of Physics and Sub-Dean of the Faculty of Engineering from 2008 to 2013. In 2013 Rodney was appointed as Associate Dean – Education for the Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences, where he played a central role in driving teaching and learning innovation and excellence. He was a key driver in the creation of the Bachelor of Technology that created new inclusive opportunities for students with a desire to access university education, and ultimately employment within the STEM industry sectors.
He served as an Academic Senate member for 15 years and as a member of the University Education Committee. Rodney also chaired the Transnational Education and Strategic Alliances Committee, the Teaching Facilities Subcommittee, the Data for Quality Assurance Team and the Subject and Teacher Evaluation Working Party. Rodney worked to enhance data for quality assurance and align UOW engineering degrees with Engineers Australia, and spent seven years championing teaching and learning as an elected staff representative on University Council.
Despite the demands of these high-level roles, Rodney maintained a close connection with core teaching and learning activities, mentoring generations of research students and contributing significantly to experimental infrastructure. Rodney was made an Honorary Principal Fellow of the University on his retirement in 2020. He continues to actively support UOW’s School of Physics to deliver high-quality teaching, learning and research, including coordinating, lecturing and conducting laboratory demonstrations for a second-year subject on a purely voluntary basis as well as representing the School as a member of the UOW Subject and Teacher Evaluation Working Group.
Chancellor, Associate Professor Rodney Vickers has demonstrated outstanding achievement in his field and a consummate commitment to enhancing the University’s success and the success of higher education more broadly.
It is with pleasure that I present Associate Professor Rodney Vickers to be admitted as a Fellow of the University of Wollongong.